Our Academic Deans are dedicated to advancing the mission of Harvard Kennedy School by providing strategic leadership across a broad range of faculty research and teaching activities. The Academic Deans’ Office is here to ensure that our programs not only meet the highest standards of academic rigor, but also adapt to the evolving needs of our students and the global research landscape.
Explore the sections below to learn more about each of our Deans, their specific areas of responsibility, and the dynamic initiatives that drive our mission forward.
Dara Kay Cohen
Academic Dean for Faculty Development
Dara Kay Cohen provides leadership in the faculty appointments and faculty development process. Dara chairs the Appointments Committee and the Fellows Committee. She supports the development of future academic leaders at HKS through mentoring and engagement.
Suzanne Cooper
Academic Dean for Teaching and Curriculum
Suzanne Cooper is responsible for teaching and learning initiatives and for reviewing sponsored research proposals, as well as working with departments across HKS on faculty matters. She provides academic guidance to our teaching and learning work. She leads the Academic Deans’ Office team, which supports all academic affairs at HKS.
Gordon Hanson
Academic Dean for Strategy and Engagement
Gordon Hanson partners with the HKS Dean to lead the design, implementation, and follow-on work of building a school-wide strategy. Gordon chairs the Faculty Steering Committee and provides input and strategic advice on school-wide matters. He drives the efforts to foster a stronger culture of community and engagement.
Areas Within the Academic Deans' Office
Academic Planning
The Academic Planning unit oversees course planning and administration, faculty workload planning, and institutional data on faculty and teaching.
Faculty Appointments
The Academic Deans’ Office recruits new faculty members who have strong teaching and research records and are intellectual leaders in their fields.
Educational Technology
Educational Technology provides faculty-friendly, student focused technologies and services that support teaching and facilitate innovation.
SLATE (Strengthening Learning and Teaching Excellence)
SLATE promotes pedagogical excellence through professional development programs, consultation services, and a growing toolkit of tested curricular materials.
Communications Program
The Harvard Kennedy School Communications Program helps students improve, develop, and execute their written, spoken, and digital policy communication skills.
Faculty and Research
The Harvard Kennedy School faculty is at the forefront of public policy innovation. From politics to policy, from the local to the global, our scholars and practitioners advance the public interest and generate solutions.